Catherine Ward & Brett Lethbridge
About the collaboration
These works were created in a collaboration between Catherine Ward and Brett Lethbridge at her studio in Geelong in April 2022.
Catherine had bought a 'Family' series painting from Brett at a Melbourne Art Fair in 2007 and after getting in touch recently decided to join forces to produce a set of sculptural pieces on this theme.
The concept was to combine the utilitarian nature of the ceramic container, whose place is often at the centre of the home, with a depiction of the realities of family life in the linear design. The drawings shows the highs and lows of that life depicted in a playful cartoon style, cartoon language so familiar to parents of young families, in order for the observations to be more palatable to those who recognize their own stories in the pieces.
Catherine Ward Bio
Catherine Ward creates, and fires hand built, sculptural stoneware ceramics in her home studio in Geelong, Victoria.
Pieces are built using coiling, pinching or slab construction and then added to with hand painted underglaze detail, sgraffito, mono printing, water etching or sculptural details.
Hand-building sculptural vessels with individuality is only part of the joyful process. The decorative aspect of her ceramic work is influenced by an extensive list of what motivates and inspires her including street art, vintage signs, and black and white photography. Patina, imperfections, and touchable textures are embraced, with her use of pattern and detail becoming more relaxed and expressive over time.
In her work contrast and balance, line and pattern are celebrated so, combined with her existing love of Brett Lethbridge’s ‘Family’ series of paintings, the collaboration with Brett is an ideal match.
Exhibitions:
2022, Brunswick St Small Works Art Prize (group exhibition), Brunswick St Gallery, Fitzroy, Victoria
2021, ‘Breaking out Creatively’ (group exhibition) Artisans of Australia, Drysdale, Victoria
2019, ‘Fired Earth’ (group exhibition) Art Space, Anglesea, Victoria
Awards:
2022, Finalist North Queensland Ceramic Awards 2022, Townsville Queensland
2021, Finalist Biblio Art Prize 2021, Blarney Books and Art, Port Fairy, Victoria
2020, Finalist (Highly Commended) Biblio Art Prize 2020, Blarney Books and Art, Port Fairy, Victoria.
Currently we have no editions available.
Commission Enquiry
Commission Message
If you have seen an artwork by this artist but it’s sold or you would like something similar in a different size, you are welcome to email us an enquiry and we will start the process of commissioning an artwork.